How to Say "Chef" in Arabic - How To Say Guide

طَاهٍ

ṭāhinindefinite, masculine

The Arabic word for chef is طَاهٍ (ṭāhin). Wiktionary also lists طَاهِي (ṭāhī) and شِيف (šīf).

Meaning: head cook of an establishment such as a restaurant (noun)

Ways to say it

The term refers to the head cook of an establishment, such as a restaurant.

The masculine indefinite form is طَاهٍ. To refer to a female chef, use the feminine form طَاهِيَة.

ṭāhin

In high-end Middle Eastern kitchens, the word شِيف is often used more like a professional title or rank than a simple job description. It carries a sense of academic or professional authority similar to 'Doctor'.
The root of طَاهٍ, which is طهي, specifically describes the application of heat to food. This distinguishes it from other words for 'cook' that might imply preparing food cold or simply handling ingredients.
The spelling of طَاهٍ hides a 'missing' letter. In the masculine indefinite form, the final 'y' is grammatically dropped, a phenomenon known as 'al-ism al-manqus'.

أعتقد أنه هذا الطبق صُمم بعناية من قِبل شيف ماهِر
I believe this dish was skillfully designed by a talented chef.
هُوَ طَاهٍ مَاهِرٌ جِدًّا.
huwa ṭāhin māhirun jiddan.
He is a very skilled chef.
أَبْحَثُ عَنْ طَاهٍ لِلْمَطْعَمِ.
abḥathu ʻan ṭāhin lil-maṭʻami.
I am looking for a chef for the restaurant.
هَلْ هُوَ طَاهٍ جَدِيدٌ؟
hal huwa ṭāhin jadīdun?
Is he a new chef?

Mariam and Ahmed are discussing a new restaurant.

مريم Maryam

هل جربت الطعام هنا يا أحمد؟
Hal jarrabta al-ta'am huna ya Ahmad?
Have you tried the food here, Ahmed?
أحمد Ahmed

نعم، يبدو أن هذا المطعم لديه طَاهٍ ماهر.
Na'am, yabdu anna hadha al-mat'am ladayhi tahin mahir.
Yes, it seems this restaurant has a skilled chef.
مريم Maryam

أنا أتفق معك، المذاق رائع جداً.
Ana attafiqu ma'ak, al-madhaq ra'i' jiddan.
I agree with you, the taste is very wonderful.
أحمد Ahmed

سأطلب منه وصفة هذه الطبخة.
Sa-atlubu minhu wasfat hadhihi al-tabkha.
I will ask him for the recipe of this dish.

Sources

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